M&A activity stays on track as region “remains very attractive”

By Gareth Iley, partner at Clearwater International

A record number of rail passengers are expected in Birmingham this month, due to the opening of some exciting Christmas attractions in the city.

The German market, ice rink and big wheel all launched on November 16th and will attract a huge number of visitors. Last year on the first Saturday after their launch, 230,000 people used Birmingham New Street station and that figure is expected to be beaten this year.

Gareth Iley, partner at Clearwater International

Birmingham-based Inspired Thinking Group (ITG) had cause for celebration after securing a multi-million-pound investment from private equity firm Equistone Partners.

ITG is a technology-led marketing services business that aims to help clients improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of their multi-channel marketing processes. The business, through its proprietary Media Centre Technology, offers end-to-end content creation and supplier management services.

It also has a data and email marketing arm following its acquisition of CRM specialist Creator last year to a range of blue chip customers in consumer retail and leisure. Clearwater International advised Creator on its sale to ITG and advised Equistone on its investment.

Equistone will help ITG to continue its ambitious growth strategy as well as instigate an aggressive push in the US market.

Coventry-based Norman Hay plc also expanded into Europe with its acquisition of German firm Internationale Metall IMPrägnier GmbH (IMP). IMP develops, manufactures and supplies impregnation sealants, process equipment and services to customers.

IMP will slot into Norman Hay’s sealant portfolio and will help the business extend its product and services proposition whilst also developing its customer base.

Meanwhile it was a Birmingham firm’s strong global footprint that attracted an American purchaser this month. Heads & Threads, which also has offices in Poland, Czech Republic and India, specialises in vendor-managed inventory programmes of fasteners, machine parts and other class C components.

It was acquired by US counterpart ParkOhio in a bid to strengthen its supply chain management arm. Heads & Threads has experienced impressive revenue growth, reaching annual revenues of £27m and will seek to continue its strong growth under its new owner.